Marshall - Motif II A.N.C. True Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds - Black

Two years ago Marshall introduced their great Motif Active Noise Cancelling earbuds which brought the classic Marshall sound to active outdoor enthusiasts. Now they have brought an improved version, the Motif II, to the stage and it is a rock star! Better battery life, better noise reduction, richer sound! Founded in 1963, Marshall Amplification has become the best known designer and manufacturer of professional music amplifiers and stage speakers. Its classic “Marshall” script on the grill cloth is a guarantee that the equipment is top quality and will produce, as Pete Townshend noted, “sizzling sound with crunch!” Since 2010 Marshall has worked closely with Sweden’s top-rated Zound Industries to create consumer versions of its audio equipment. This review will focus on the latest of these collaborations, the Marshall Motif II ANC wireless Bluetooth earphones. They are priced a bit lower than AirPods but I believe offer better features: • Marshall Motif II ANC Bluetooth true wireless earbuds (Model 1006450) • 6 mm dynamic drivers, 16 ohm impedance • Frequency response range: 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz • Excellent driver sensitivity: 108 (+/- 2) dB @ 1 mW, 1 KHz • Bluetooth 5.3 LE connectivity, 30+ foot range, Codecs: SBC, AAC, LC3 • Active Noise Cancellation with Transparency mode • Two integrated microphones in each earbud for phone calls and ANC cancellation • IPX5 water resistance (safe against low pressure water stream), IPX4 in case • Multi-function touch controls (play, pause, skip/back track, accept/end phone call, ANC setting, equalizer selection, Spotify TAP, volume) on each earbud • Lithium polymer battery life: 6 hours playtime with ANC, 9 hours with ANC off, 30 hours total with in-case recharging (with ANC), 43 hours total with in-case recharging (ANC off) • 1.5 hour recharge time from full discharge; 15 minute recharge provides 1 hour playtime • Charging: Wireless (Qi pad required, not included) or with included USB-C cable • Hard shell carrying case which recharges earbuds and initiates Bluetooth pairing • 8” USB-C 5V-12V recharge cable included • Three silicone ear tip sizes (small, medium, large) included • Weight: 4.31 gram (earbuds), 55.7 gram (in charging case) • One year warranty on parts and labor Download the Marshall Bluetooth app to provide a full user guide, equalizer settings, ANC sensitivity, touch controls, charge status and other additional features. Everything is extremely well made and the earbuds have a special coating to protect them from scratches and moisture. The thicker curled black knobs and Marshall “M” script really look good. The bottom of the earbud knob is now an attractive polished gold with a pattern like the knobs on those big Marshall stage amps – a very slick touch! The charging/carry case is covered in black alligator tolex (the same material used on their amps.) First step is to charge the ear buds in the clam shell charging case. Just place the case on a Qi pad or attach the USB-C charging cable and LED lights will tell you when they are fully charged. The case itself serves as a supplemental battery, holding four full additional charges even when disconnected from power. Pop the earbuds back into the case for 15 minutes and you have another hour of charge. Leave them in for an hour and they are fully charged again. You can do that three or four times before the case itself needs recharging. I tested the claimed battery life – 6 hours when using ANC, 9 hours with ANC off and can confirm that it is accurate. Frankly, I rarely use the ANC feature on any headphone because it always seems to detract from full and accurate music reproduction, but it does work well on these earbuds when switched on. The Marshall Motif II ANC earbuds are truly wireless and fit very securely in the ear, thanks to their somewhat boxy oblong shape which conforms well to the ear’s interior. Try the three supplied rubber ear tips to select the one which feels most comfortable for long sessions. For me the small tip gave the best fit and enabled me to get the best sound quality. The Bluetooth connection just requires pressing a button on the charging/carrying case for a few seconds. The new 5.3 LE Bluetooth specification provided a solid connection up to 50 feet from my phone and was very stable in all conditions. Sound quality is superb, very clear, distortion-free with excellent midrange and highs. And the bass is very good – just what you would expect from Marshall. The Marshall Bluetooth app includes an equalizer with five pre-set sound profiles (Bass Boost, Mid Boost, Treble Boost, Mid Reduction and “Marshall”) and one sound profile that you can customize. I found that the various options matched well to the various music genres in my extensive library. Naturally, the Marshall setting was best for hard rock! I am a fairly serious runner and biker and have always been annoyed by the wires connecting my earphones to my iPhone so having an earbud that would stay in my ear under all conditions is essential. I considered AirPods but some friends who used them said that they can fall out if you sweat a lot during your workout, and frankly, I think they look a little weird. Fortunately, the Marshall Motif II has both great aesthetics and superb ergonomics – a very nice solution to the problem. You choose earbuds for outside activities – will they stay in? Yes!!! I took them for a long (three hour) run and never had a problem even as I worked up a good sweat in 80+ degree weather. But running is probably not the biggest test. Can you rely upon the fit while biking? The next day I went for an all-day ride over some rough roads and once again they performed perfectly. They never felt loose. I recharged them in the case after about 5 hours while I stopped for food but that was quick. The case is compact and unobtrusive in your pocket, but for most workouts you can rely upon the 6 hour playing time from each charge and leave the case at home. Other features? The earbuds have excellent touch controls (play, pause, skip/back track, accept/end phone calls, ANC setting, equalizer selection, Spotify TAP, volume) which work well. The ANC function has a Transparency setting which amplifies ambient sounds when desired (e.g., conversations in noisy settings). The earbuds are sealed and have an IPX5 rating so even a stream of water on them will not cause damage, so have no fear about using them in the rain. (Airpods are rated only IPX4.) The very light weight (4.3 gram) of the earbuds really enhances their comfort when wearing them for long periods. Drawbacks? The included owner’s manual is thick, so you think – great, lots of instructions and tips - but then you find it has only one page of information repeated in 36 languages! Fortunately, the app has all the information you need, so no worries. Bottom line? If you want to be transported back to the musical glories of the rock era but don’t want to give up any of the technologic comforts of today buy these outstanding earbuds. They have my highest and unqualified endorsement and you will crank up your personal cool quotient to 11.

A unique Earbuds sounds great not too loud just right! If you like to listen to music as meant to be get this if you want a loud strong bass get something else!

Great battery life and sound signature for string instruments! Enough bass, but not Bose bass. Very light and great aesthetic. Love the brass color.